LONDON: London graduate believed to be Islamic State executioner "Jihadi John" once denounced the 9/11 attacks and the 2005 bombings in the British capital, according to an audio recording released Tuesday.

Kuwait-born Mohammed Emwazi was identified by media and experts last week -- and now, reportedly, also by his parents -- as the knife-wielding masked man in online videos showing the beheadings of at least five IS hostages.

In a conversation with a member of British rights group Cage, Emwazi described how in 2009 he was interviewed by a British officer, reported to be from domestic spy agency MI5.

Asked about his views on the New York and London attacks and the war in Afghanistan, Emwazi -- speaking in a London accent -- condemned the loss of life, but complained that his interrogator did not believe him.

"I said, after what I told you, after I told you that whatÂ´s happening is extremism, this and that, and youÂ´re still suggesting that IÂ´m an extremist?" he said.

"And he started going on trying to put words into my mouth to say: Â´No youÂ´re doing this, this and this, and weÂ´re going to keep a close eye on you Mohammed -- we already have been and weÂ´re going to keep a close eye on youÂ´."

Cage, which supports people detained in the "war on terror," was in contact with Emwazi for several years, and said MI5 had been tracking him since at least 2009.

Research director Asim Qureshi last week described him as a "beautiful young man" who had been harassed by British intelligence to the point of becoming radicalised.

QureshiÂ´s comments prompted a furious response among politicians and the media, with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson calling them an "apology for terror."

In the two-minute recording released by Cage, Emwazi said the 2005 London attacks that killed 52 people were the result of "extremism," and noted in Afghanistan, "innocent people are getting killed."

On the 2001 attacks in New York, he said: "If I had the opportunity for those lives to come back then I would make those lives come back. I think what happened is wrong."

Asked what he thought of "the Jews," Emwazi said: "Everyone has got his right to his own beliefs. I donÂ´t force no-one."

Meanwhile it was reported that EmwaziÂ´s parents have admitted to recognising him when he first appeared in a video showing the execution of US reporter James Foley in August.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas said in a report on Monday that EmwaziÂ´s father, Jassem Abdulkareem, had been questioned by Kuwaiti police on Sunday and told them his wife "recognised her sonÂ´s voice," as he subsequently did as well.

The couple last heard from Emwazi in mid-2013 when he called them from Turkey to announce he was going to Syria as an aid worker. "Since then, IÂ´ve been waiting for news of his death," his father said, according to an unnamed source cited in the report.

LONDON: London graduate believed to be Islamic State executioner "Jihadi John" once denounced the 9/11 attacks and the 2005 bombings in the British capital, according to an audio recording released Tuesday.

Kuwait-born Mohammed Emwazi was identified by media and experts last week -- and now, reportedly, also by his parents -- as the knife-wielding masked man in online videos showing the beheadings of at least five IS hostages.

In a conversation with a member of British rights group Cage, Emwazi described how in 2009 he was interviewed by a British officer, reported to be from domestic spy agency MI5.

Asked about his views on the New York and London attacks and the war in Afghanistan, Emwazi -- speaking in a London accent -- condemned the loss of life, but complained that his interrogator did not believe him.

"I said, after what I told you, after I told you that whatÂ´s happening is extremism, this and that, and youÂ´re still suggesting that IÂ´m an extremist?" he said.

"And he started going on trying to put words into my mouth to say: Â´No youÂ´re doing this, this and this, and weÂ´re going to keep a close eye on you Mohammed -- we already have been and weÂ´re going to keep a close eye on youÂ´."

Cage, which supports people detained in the "war on terror," was in contact with Emwazi for several years, and said MI5 had been tracking him since at least 2009.

Research director Asim Qureshi last week described him as a "beautiful young man" who had been harassed by British intelligence to the point of becoming radicalised.

QureshiÂ´s comments prompted a furious response among politicians and the media, with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson calling them an "apology for terror."

In the two-minute recording released by Cage, Emwazi said the 2005 London attacks that killed 52 people were the result of "extremism," and noted in Afghanistan, "innocent people are getting killed."

On the 2001 attacks in New York, he said: "If I had the opportunity for those lives to come back then I would make those lives come back. I think what happened is wrong."

Asked what he thought of "the Jews," Emwazi said: "Everyone has got his right to his own beliefs. I donÂ´t force no-one."

Meanwhile it was reported that EmwaziÂ´s parents have admitted to recognising him when he first appeared in a video showing the execution of US reporter James Foley in August.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas said in a report on Monday that EmwaziÂ´s father, Jassem Abdulkareem, had been questioned by Kuwaiti police on Sunday and told them his wife "recognised her sonÂ´s voice," as he subsequently did as well.

The couple last heard from Emwazi in mid-2013 when he called them from Turkey to announce he was going to Syria as an aid worker. "Since then, IÂ´ve been waiting for news of his death," his father said, according to an unnamed source cited in the report.

WASHINGTON: In an interview with Reuters news agency on Monday, US President Barak Obama said Iran must commit to verifiable halt of at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear work for a landmark atomic deal to be reached between Tehran and six major world powers.

Iran on Tuesday rejected as "unacceptable" a demand by U.S. President Barack Obama that Tehran freeze its sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"Obamaâ€™s stance ... is expressed in unacceptable and threatening phrases ... Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands ... Tehran will continue nuclear negotiations with the six powers," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Fars.

WASHINGTON: In an interview with Reuters news agency on Monday, US President Barak Obama said Iran must commit to verifiable halt of at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear work for a landmark atomic deal to be reached between Tehran and six major world powers.

Iran on Tuesday rejected as "unacceptable" a demand by U.S. President Barack Obama that Tehran freeze its sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"Obamaâ€™s stance ... is expressed in unacceptable and threatening phrases ... Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands ... Tehran will continue nuclear negotiations with the six powers," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Fars.

WASHINGTON: More sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions would destroy painstaking international talks with Tehran, an advisor to US President Barack Obama warned Congress today.

â€œCongress has played a hugely important role in helping to build our sanctions on Iran, but they shouldnâ€™t play the spoiler now. Additional sanctions or restrictive legislation enacted during the negotiation would blow up the talks, divide the international community and cause the United States to be blamed for the failure to reach a deal,â€ said National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

Rice said an Iran with a nuclear bomb would threaten both Israel and the US.

â€œGiven their support for terrorism, the risk for a nuclear arms race in the region and the danger to the entire global nonproliferation regime, an Iran with a nuclear weapon would not just be a threat to Israel, it is also an unacceptable threat to the United States of America," she said.

The statement from the White House comes amid a crisis between Washington and Israel over Tehranâ€™s atomic ambitions.

Netanyahu and Obama spar over Iran nuclear deal

Earlier in the day, US President Barack Obama pointedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had been wrong about Iranâ€™s nuclear program before as well.

On the eve of a landmark speech to the US Congress, Netanyahu declared that a US-Iran deal on curtailing Tehranâ€™s nuclear ambitions â€œcould threaten the survival of Israel.â€

He spoke even as US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Switzerland for talks which are expected to end Wednesday.

But Obama and his leading foreign policy officials did not leave the field to the Israeli leader, insisting their plan was the best way to contain Iranâ€™s alleged threat.

Referring to criticism of a previous interim US-Iran deal that paved the way for this weekÂ´s ongoing talks in Switzerland, Obama said: "Netanyahu made all sorts of claims.

"This was going to be a terrible deal," he told Reuters. "This was going to result in Iran getting $50 billion worth of relief. Iran would not abide by the agreement. None of that has come true."

Netanyahuâ€™s lobbying trip to Washington came as Kerry was in Geneva and culminates on Tuesday with the address to Congress, seen as a last-ditch bid to derail that effort, one of the last key goals of Obamaâ€™s foreign policy.

The pace of the negotiations to hammer out a deal to rein in Iranâ€™s suspected nuclear arms program in exchange for sanctions relief has gathered pace as a March 31 deadline nears.

WASHINGTON: More sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions would destroy painstaking international talks with Tehran, an advisor to US President Barack Obama warned Congress today.

â€œCongress has played a hugely important role in helping to build our sanctions on Iran, but they shouldnâ€™t play the spoiler now. Additional sanctions or restrictive legislation enacted during the negotiation would blow up the talks, divide the international community and cause the United States to be blamed for the failure to reach a deal,â€ said National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

Rice said an Iran with a nuclear bomb would threaten both Israel and the US.

â€œGiven their support for terrorism, the risk for a nuclear arms race in the region and the danger to the entire global nonproliferation regime, an Iran with a nuclear weapon would not just be a threat to Israel, it is also an unacceptable threat to the United States of America," she said.

The statement from the White House comes amid a crisis between Washington and Israel over Tehranâ€™s atomic ambitions.

Netanyahu and Obama spar over Iran nuclear deal

Earlier in the day, US President Barack Obama pointedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had been wrong about Iranâ€™s nuclear program before as well.

On the eve of a landmark speech to the US Congress, Netanyahu declared that a US-Iran deal on curtailing Tehranâ€™s nuclear ambitions â€œcould threaten the survival of Israel.â€

He spoke even as US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Switzerland for talks which are expected to end Wednesday.

But Obama and his leading foreign policy officials did not leave the field to the Israeli leader, insisting their plan was the best way to contain Iranâ€™s alleged threat.

Referring to criticism of a previous interim US-Iran deal that paved the way for this weekÂ´s ongoing talks in Switzerland, Obama said: "Netanyahu made all sorts of claims.

"This was going to be a terrible deal," he told Reuters. "This was going to result in Iran getting $50 billion worth of relief. Iran would not abide by the agreement. None of that has come true."

Netanyahuâ€™s lobbying trip to Washington came as Kerry was in Geneva and culminates on Tuesday with the address to Congress, seen as a last-ditch bid to derail that effort, one of the last key goals of Obamaâ€™s foreign policy.

The pace of the negotiations to hammer out a deal to rein in Iranâ€™s suspected nuclear arms program in exchange for sanctions relief has gathered pace as a March 31 deadline nears.

The rocket, carrying an Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast (ABS) satellite, lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida on schedule at 10:50 pm (3:50 GMT) into the perfectly clear night.

The two satellites deployed 30 minutes afterwards, SpaceX said on Twitter.

Equipped with electric propulsion systems, they will orbit above the equator at an altitude of 22,370 miles (36,000 kilometers).

The Boeing satellites will help distribute television programming plus Internet and cellular phone connectivity worldwide, SpaceX said in a statement.

SpaceX did not attempt to guide the powerful rocketÂ´s first stage to a floating barge landing spot in the Atlantic Ocean, as it has done with other recent launches.

If SpaceX were to succeed in retrieving its rocketsÂ´ first stages, it could prevent the waste of millions of dollars after each launch, when pieces of the rocket are left to fall into the ocean after blastoff.

But its two previous attempts to do so have failed.

SpaceX will attempt to salvage a rocket first stage again in April after the launch of a Dragon spacecraft for a supply mission to the International Space Station.

Successful recovery would mean the rocket first stage could be used multiple times, which would be a financial coup for SpaceX, as it competes in the commercial satellite market.

French company Eutelsat is EuropeÂ´s leading satellite operator. ABS, although new, is one of the fastest growing satellite operators and is headquartered in Bermuda. (AFP)

The rocket, carrying an Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast (ABS) satellite, lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida on schedule at 10:50 pm (3:50 GMT) into the perfectly clear night.

The two satellites deployed 30 minutes afterwards, SpaceX said on Twitter.

Equipped with electric propulsion systems, they will orbit above the equator at an altitude of 22,370 miles (36,000 kilometers).

The Boeing satellites will help distribute television programming plus Internet and cellular phone connectivity worldwide, SpaceX said in a statement.

SpaceX did not attempt to guide the powerful rocketÂ´s first stage to a floating barge landing spot in the Atlantic Ocean, as it has done with other recent launches.

If SpaceX were to succeed in retrieving its rocketsÂ´ first stages, it could prevent the waste of millions of dollars after each launch, when pieces of the rocket are left to fall into the ocean after blastoff.

But its two previous attempts to do so have failed.

SpaceX will attempt to salvage a rocket first stage again in April after the launch of a Dragon spacecraft for a supply mission to the International Space Station.

Successful recovery would mean the rocket first stage could be used multiple times, which would be a financial coup for SpaceX, as it competes in the commercial satellite market.

French company Eutelsat is EuropeÂ´s leading satellite operator. ABS, although new, is one of the fastest growing satellite operators and is headquartered in Bermuda. (AFP)

KIRKUK: Some 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia backed by aircraft pounded IS positions in and around Tikrit on Monday in the biggest offensive yet to retake one of the groupÂ´s main strongholds.

"Security forces are advancing on three main fronts towards Tikrit, Ad-Dawr (to the south) and Al-Alam (to the north)," an army lieutenant colonel on the ground told AFP by telephone.

Iraqi forces are also "moving along side roads to prevent DaeshÂ´s escape," he said, using an Arab acronym for the IS, which has controlled the hometown of executed dictator Saddam Hussein for nearly nine months.

The operation, which is one of the most ambitious undertaken by Baghdad to roll back the gains made by IS last June, began in early morning after being announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the previous evening.

The army officer said the forces involved in the battle were from the army, police, counter-terrorism units, a government-controlled volunteer group known as the Population Mobilisation units and local Sunni tribes opposed to IS.

KIRKUK: Some 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia backed by aircraft pounded IS positions in and around Tikrit on Monday in the biggest offensive yet to retake one of the groupÂ´s main strongholds.

"Security forces are advancing on three main fronts towards Tikrit, Ad-Dawr (to the south) and Al-Alam (to the north)," an army lieutenant colonel on the ground told AFP by telephone.

Iraqi forces are also "moving along side roads to prevent DaeshÂ´s escape," he said, using an Arab acronym for the IS, which has controlled the hometown of executed dictator Saddam Hussein for nearly nine months.

The operation, which is one of the most ambitious undertaken by Baghdad to roll back the gains made by IS last June, began in early morning after being announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the previous evening.

The army officer said the forces involved in the battle were from the army, police, counter-terrorism units, a government-controlled volunteer group known as the Population Mobilisation units and local Sunni tribes opposed to IS.

Beijing: BritainÂ´s Prince William met ChinaÂ´s Communist President Xi Jinping on Monday before strolling through the Forbidden City, the former home of the countryÂ´s deposed imperial dynasties.

Xi warmly welcomed the second-in-line to the British throne, making the highest-profile visit to China by a member of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip in 1986.

William was met by the Chinese leader on the first full day of a trip which comes as London and Beijing have traded diplomatic barbs over pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, a former British colony.

But the differences appeared to be put aside as Xi congratulated the 32-year-old prince on the expected birth of his second child.

"The British royal family has great influence not just in Britain but across the world," Xi said.

William said he was looking forward to the remainder of his trip, which will see him visit the commercial hub of Shanghai before heading to an elephant sanctuary in the south-western province of Yunnan.

"ItÂ´s been a long interest of mine for many years to come and visit China," he told Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

WilliamÂ´s visit has been seen as an attempt by Britain to improve top-level diplomatic relations with Beijing.

London is anxious to improve its trade ties with the economic powerhouse.

WilliamÂ´s father, Charles, has never visited mainland China, though he attended the handover of Hong Kong.

In a leaked diary, he described ChinaÂ´s leaders at the 1997 ceremony as "appalling old waxworks", and he has been accused of deliberately side-stepping formal banquets during Chinese leadersÂ´ visits to Britain.

During the 1986 royal visit to China, Prince Philip was overheard by a reporter making one of his most notorious remarks.

"If you stay here much longer, you will all be slitty-eyed," he was quoted as telling a group of British students.

Buckingham Palace has been on a charm offensive towards China, with William issuing a Lunar New Year message in Mandarin ahead of his visit.

He was asked how his Chinese skills were developing as he walked through BeijingÂ´s ancient Forbidden City, the palace of ChinaÂ´s Ming and Qing dynasties.

"Ni hao - thatÂ´s as far as I got," he told reporters with a smile, standing in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where coronations were carried out before the Chinese imperial regime was overthrown. (AFP)

Beijing: BritainÂ´s Prince William met ChinaÂ´s Communist President Xi Jinping on Monday before strolling through the Forbidden City, the former home of the countryÂ´s deposed imperial dynasties.

Xi warmly welcomed the second-in-line to the British throne, making the highest-profile visit to China by a member of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip in 1986.

William was met by the Chinese leader on the first full day of a trip which comes as London and Beijing have traded diplomatic barbs over pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, a former British colony.

But the differences appeared to be put aside as Xi congratulated the 32-year-old prince on the expected birth of his second child.

"The British royal family has great influence not just in Britain but across the world," Xi said.

William said he was looking forward to the remainder of his trip, which will see him visit the commercial hub of Shanghai before heading to an elephant sanctuary in the south-western province of Yunnan.

"ItÂ´s been a long interest of mine for many years to come and visit China," he told Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

WilliamÂ´s visit has been seen as an attempt by Britain to improve top-level diplomatic relations with Beijing.

London is anxious to improve its trade ties with the economic powerhouse.

WilliamÂ´s father, Charles, has never visited mainland China, though he attended the handover of Hong Kong.

In a leaked diary, he described ChinaÂ´s leaders at the 1997 ceremony as "appalling old waxworks", and he has been accused of deliberately side-stepping formal banquets during Chinese leadersÂ´ visits to Britain.

During the 1986 royal visit to China, Prince Philip was overheard by a reporter making one of his most notorious remarks.

"If you stay here much longer, you will all be slitty-eyed," he was quoted as telling a group of British students.

Buckingham Palace has been on a charm offensive towards China, with William issuing a Lunar New Year message in Mandarin ahead of his visit.

He was asked how his Chinese skills were developing as he walked through BeijingÂ´s ancient Forbidden City, the palace of ChinaÂ´s Ming and Qing dynasties.

"Ni hao - thatÂ´s as far as I got," he told reporters with a smile, standing in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where coronations were carried out before the Chinese imperial regime was overthrown. (AFP)

JAMMU: The newly sworn-in Indian-held Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday said the Hurriyat, militant outfits and â€œpeople from across the borderâ€ â€” construed as an oblique reference to Pakistan â€” allowed a conducive atmosphere for the assembly polls.

â€œI want to say on record and I have told this to the prime minister, that we must credit the Hurriyat, Pakistan and militant outfits for the conduct of assembly elections in the state,â€ Sayeed said at a media conference after the swearing-in ceremony, NDTV reported.

Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh of BJP and cabinet minister Haseeb Drabu, Sayeed said, â€œGod forbid if they (militants) had done something, it would not have been possible to have a smooth conduct of the elections.â€

Thanking the â€œpeople from across the borderâ€ too, he said, â€œPeople from across the border made the atmosphere conducive. They also have assets â€” Hurriyat, militants... if they had done something (during the election) such a participation of people would not have been possible. This gives us hope.â€

AFP adds: Earlier, Indiaâ€™s ruling Hindu nationalist party was sworn into government in the countryâ€™s only Muslim-majority state for the first time after an historic power-sharing deal with a bitter regional rival.

Narendra Modi hailed the partnership between his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peopleâ€™s Democratic Party (PDP) as a chance to fulfil the aspirations of a region which has endured a sporadic revolt against the Indian rule since 1989.â€œPDP-BJP govt is a historic opportunity to fulfil the aspirations of the people of J&K and take the state to new heights of progress,â€ the prime minister said in a tweet, referring to the Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).

After weeks of intensive negotiations, the parties forged a coalition following inconclusive elections two months ago for the IHK assembly.Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Muslim head of the PDP, was sworn in as the regionâ€™s chief minister, along with his cabinet whose members are split roughly equally between the two parties.

In a symbolic gesture, the 79-year-old Sayeed enthusiastically embraced Hindu nationalist Modi, who was on stage to witness the ceremony, held amid tight security in the regionâ€™s winter capital of Jammu.

â€œWe want to make the alliance a turning point in history to win the hearts and minds of all people of the state,â€ Sayeed later told a press conference.Modi and Sayeed, whose parties are staunchly opposed on a range of critical issues in the region, last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the IHK.

Unveiled on Sunday, the 16-page agenda says the government will maintain a constitutional provision which allows Kashmir to make its own laws and guarantees autonomy from New Delhi.The BJP has long been committed to its abolition, while the PDP is steadfastly in favour of keeping it.

The new government will also keep in place a draconian law that gives Indian forces sweeping search and shoot-on-sight powers in the IHK, which is seen by critics as a cover for rights abuses.

But Sayeed stressed that he would not hesitate to act against the military if abuses were committed, saying â€œI am the chief chairman of (a) unified command.â€â€œIt is in my direction they have to follow. I will make them accountable.â€

He said his government would also attempt to hold talks with separatist leaders over the future of the IHK.The swearing-in ceremony comes after December elections that saw the BJP capture 25 seats mainly in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, while the PDP took 28, mostly in the Kashmir Valley where Muslim separatist sentiment has traditionally been the strongest.

But both failed to secure a majority to the 87-seat assembly, forcing the negotiations.Both parties benefited at the polls from widespread discontent at the stateâ€™s then-ruling National Conference party, over its handling of floods that killed more than 200 people in Kashmir in September.

Analysts warned that the coming together of two ideologically different parties could fuel discontent among Hindus in Jammu as well as Muslims in the IHK.â€œA big challenge will be to shore up credibility among voters in both regions of the state,â€ said Siddiq Wahid, a columnist and historian.

â€œWhat direction the discontent will take will depends on whether civil rights, like holding peaceful protest marches, will again be curbed.â€The PDP had pledged during the election campaign to halt the BJPâ€™s growing influence after right-wing Modi swept to power at general polls in May.The new government also faces the tough challenge of rebuilding after the floods destroyed $16 billion worth of property and infrastructure.

JAMMU: The newly sworn-in Indian-held Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday said the Hurriyat, militant outfits and â€œpeople from across the borderâ€ â€” construed as an oblique reference to Pakistan â€” allowed a conducive atmosphere for the assembly polls.

â€œI want to say on record and I have told this to the prime minister, that we must credit the Hurriyat, Pakistan and militant outfits for the conduct of assembly elections in the state,â€ Sayeed said at a media conference after the swearing-in ceremony, NDTV reported.

Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh of BJP and cabinet minister Haseeb Drabu, Sayeed said, â€œGod forbid if they (militants) had done something, it would not have been possible to have a smooth conduct of the elections.â€

Thanking the â€œpeople from across the borderâ€ too, he said, â€œPeople from across the border made the atmosphere conducive. They also have assets â€” Hurriyat, militants... if they had done something (during the election) such a participation of people would not have been possible. This gives us hope.â€

AFP adds: Earlier, Indiaâ€™s ruling Hindu nationalist party was sworn into government in the countryâ€™s only Muslim-majority state for the first time after an historic power-sharing deal with a bitter regional rival.

Narendra Modi hailed the partnership between his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peopleâ€™s Democratic Party (PDP) as a chance to fulfil the aspirations of a region which has endured a sporadic revolt against the Indian rule since 1989.â€œPDP-BJP govt is a historic opportunity to fulfil the aspirations of the people of J&K and take the state to new heights of progress,â€ the prime minister said in a tweet, referring to the Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).

After weeks of intensive negotiations, the parties forged a coalition following inconclusive elections two months ago for the IHK assembly.Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Muslim head of the PDP, was sworn in as the regionâ€™s chief minister, along with his cabinet whose members are split roughly equally between the two parties.

In a symbolic gesture, the 79-year-old Sayeed enthusiastically embraced Hindu nationalist Modi, who was on stage to witness the ceremony, held amid tight security in the regionâ€™s winter capital of Jammu.

â€œWe want to make the alliance a turning point in history to win the hearts and minds of all people of the state,â€ Sayeed later told a press conference.Modi and Sayeed, whose parties are staunchly opposed on a range of critical issues in the region, last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the IHK.

Unveiled on Sunday, the 16-page agenda says the government will maintain a constitutional provision which allows Kashmir to make its own laws and guarantees autonomy from New Delhi.The BJP has long been committed to its abolition, while the PDP is steadfastly in favour of keeping it.

The new government will also keep in place a draconian law that gives Indian forces sweeping search and shoot-on-sight powers in the IHK, which is seen by critics as a cover for rights abuses.

But Sayeed stressed that he would not hesitate to act against the military if abuses were committed, saying â€œI am the chief chairman of (a) unified command.â€â€œIt is in my direction they have to follow. I will make them accountable.â€

He said his government would also attempt to hold talks with separatist leaders over the future of the IHK.The swearing-in ceremony comes after December elections that saw the BJP capture 25 seats mainly in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, while the PDP took 28, mostly in the Kashmir Valley where Muslim separatist sentiment has traditionally been the strongest.

But both failed to secure a majority to the 87-seat assembly, forcing the negotiations.Both parties benefited at the polls from widespread discontent at the stateâ€™s then-ruling National Conference party, over its handling of floods that killed more than 200 people in Kashmir in September.

Analysts warned that the coming together of two ideologically different parties could fuel discontent among Hindus in Jammu as well as Muslims in the IHK.â€œA big challenge will be to shore up credibility among voters in both regions of the state,â€ said Siddiq Wahid, a columnist and historian.

â€œWhat direction the discontent will take will depends on whether civil rights, like holding peaceful protest marches, will again be curbed.â€The PDP had pledged during the election campaign to halt the BJPâ€™s growing influence after right-wing Modi swept to power at general polls in May.The new government also faces the tough challenge of rebuilding after the floods destroyed $16 billion worth of property and infrastructure.

OCCUPIED SRI NAGAR: IndiaÂ´s ruling Hindu nationalist party was Sunday sworn into government for the first time in occupied Kashmir after a power-sharing deal with a regional rival.

Prime Minister Narendra ModiÂ´s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have forged a coalition government after inconclusive elections two months ago for the IoK.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Muslim head of the PDP, was sworn in as chief minister of the region. In a symbolic gesture he enthusiastically embraced Modi, who was on stage to witness the historic ceremony.

"This is a great day. No one in their wildest dreams ever thought of this," PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said after the ceremony in the regionÂ´s winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

"But I think Mufti Sayeed and the national (BJP) leadership of Modi-ji, they are on a journey to turn around Kashmir," an upbeat Akhtar told the NDTV network, using a Hindi honorific for respect.

The inauguration, held amid tight security at the University of Jammu, came after weeks of intense negotiations between the two parties which disagree on several critical issues in the region.

Sayeed has described the alliance as the "coming together of the North Pole and the South Pole" while the BJP has hailed the move as a "miracle of democracy".

The negotiations followed December elections that saw the BJP capture 25 seats, while the PDP took 28.

But both failed to secure a majority to the 87-seat assembly, forcing the negotiations.

Both parties benefited at the polls from widespread discontent at the stateÂ´s then-ruling National Conference party, over its handling of floods that killed more than 200 people in Kashmir in September.

Swarms of police patrolled the university grounds before the ceremony, which was also attended by BJP president Amit Shah.

Modi and Sayeed last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the valley and details were expected to be unveiled at a press conference later on Sunday. (AFP)

OCCUPIED SRI NAGAR: IndiaÂ´s ruling Hindu nationalist party was Sunday sworn into government for the first time in occupied Kashmir after a power-sharing deal with a regional rival.

Prime Minister Narendra ModiÂ´s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have forged a coalition government after inconclusive elections two months ago for the IoK.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Muslim head of the PDP, was sworn in as chief minister of the region. In a symbolic gesture he enthusiastically embraced Modi, who was on stage to witness the historic ceremony.

"This is a great day. No one in their wildest dreams ever thought of this," PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said after the ceremony in the regionÂ´s winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

"But I think Mufti Sayeed and the national (BJP) leadership of Modi-ji, they are on a journey to turn around Kashmir," an upbeat Akhtar told the NDTV network, using a Hindi honorific for respect.

The inauguration, held amid tight security at the University of Jammu, came after weeks of intense negotiations between the two parties which disagree on several critical issues in the region.

Sayeed has described the alliance as the "coming together of the North Pole and the South Pole" while the BJP has hailed the move as a "miracle of democracy".

The negotiations followed December elections that saw the BJP capture 25 seats, while the PDP took 28.

But both failed to secure a majority to the 87-seat assembly, forcing the negotiations.

Both parties benefited at the polls from widespread discontent at the stateÂ´s then-ruling National Conference party, over its handling of floods that killed more than 200 people in Kashmir in September.

Swarms of police patrolled the university grounds before the ceremony, which was also attended by BJP president Amit Shah.

Modi and Sayeed last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the valley and details were expected to be unveiled at a press conference later on Sunday. (AFP)

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http://pakistanvoices.com/current_affairs/2015/03/01/India´s-ruling-Hindu-party-to-form-coalition-in-occupied-Kashmir/#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 00:53:00 +0000adminhttp://www.pakistanvoices.com/current_affairs/India´s-ruling-Hindu-party-to-form-coalition-in-occupied-Kashmir/136720/

JAMMU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra ModiÂ´s Hindu nationalists are Sunday set to form a government in occupied Kashmir for the first time in a power-sharing deal with a regional rival.

ModiÂ´s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to be officially sworn into office in the restive regionÂ´s winter capital of Jammu in a tightly secured ceremony attended by the premier.

PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be chief minister of the region and head of its coalition government, following inconclusive elections held two months ago for the state assembly.

Security was tight around the University of Jammu, the venue where the cabinet will be inaugurated from 0530 GMT, with swarms of police patrolling the grounds.

"We have taken all necessary measures along the border (with Pakistan) and in the city to maintain law and order," police inspector general for the Jammu region, Rajesh Kumar, told AFP.

Modi and Sayeed last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the disputed state following weeks of negotiations, and details were expected to be unveiled on Sunday.

JAMMU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra ModiÂ´s Hindu nationalists are Sunday set to form a government in occupied Kashmir for the first time in a power-sharing deal with a regional rival.

ModiÂ´s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to be officially sworn into office in the restive regionÂ´s winter capital of Jammu in a tightly secured ceremony attended by the premier.

PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be chief minister of the region and head of its coalition government, following inconclusive elections held two months ago for the state assembly.

Security was tight around the University of Jammu, the venue where the cabinet will be inaugurated from 0530 GMT, with swarms of police patrolling the grounds.

"We have taken all necessary measures along the border (with Pakistan) and in the city to maintain law and order," police inspector general for the Jammu region, Rajesh Kumar, told AFP.

Modi and Sayeed last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the disputed state following weeks of negotiations, and details were expected to be unveiled on Sunday.

The American city of Louisville on Saturday mourned the death of an immigrant Pakistani 'family man' who was shot and killed after he dropped his 13-year-old daughter at school earlier this week.

According to NBC News, Mukhtar Ahmed, 41, had just dropped off his teenage daughter at school and was driving on Interstate 71 in Louisville, Kentucky, when he was shot multiple times through the passenger door of his vehicle on Thursday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The alleged shooter, Christopher L. McCullum, was found three hours later, arrested, and charged with murder.

Local police said there was no indication of a business dispute or apparent connection between the individuals, and the incident only appeared to be "some sort of road rage incident".

"As an Asian-American Muslim community living in America at this time, the community is very sensitive and apprehensive," Khalid Kahloon, Ahmed's family attorney, told NBC News.

"This is a source of great discomfort to the community as to why a member would be murdered in this way. We cannot say it is for certain about race, but deep down in our hearts we cannot say that it was just another senseless murder on the American highway."

Mukhtar Ahmed was described as a 41-year-old man originally from Pakistan who had been living in the United States for many years, married with three young children, and working with his brother in a grocery retail business.

The American city of Louisville on Saturday mourned the death of an immigrant Pakistani 'family man' who was shot and killed after he dropped his 13-year-old daughter at school earlier this week.

According to NBC News, Mukhtar Ahmed, 41, had just dropped off his teenage daughter at school and was driving on Interstate 71 in Louisville, Kentucky, when he was shot multiple times through the passenger door of his vehicle on Thursday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The alleged shooter, Christopher L. McCullum, was found three hours later, arrested, and charged with murder.

Local police said there was no indication of a business dispute or apparent connection between the individuals, and the incident only appeared to be "some sort of road rage incident".

"As an Asian-American Muslim community living in America at this time, the community is very sensitive and apprehensive," Khalid Kahloon, Ahmed's family attorney, told NBC News.

"This is a source of great discomfort to the community as to why a member would be murdered in this way. We cannot say it is for certain about race, but deep down in our hearts we cannot say that it was just another senseless murder on the American highway."

Mukhtar Ahmed was described as a 41-year-old man originally from Pakistan who had been living in the United States for many years, married with three young children, and working with his brother in a grocery retail business.

Police have yet to find a motive behind the murder.

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